Noah's Ark Nursery and Pre School

Inspection of Noah's Ark Nursery and Pre School St Justus Church, Clifton Close, Rochester, Kent ME2 2HG

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

p.1

The provision is good

Children engage confidently in the learning environment that staff set out for them. They independently select the activities they would like to take part in and share their experiences with their friends and staff. For instance, children spend time playing with the doll's house. Staff give children time to act out their experiences and share their ideas, which helps children to process their own knowledge of their world around them.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff set high expectations for children's behaviour, and they embed strategies in their daily practice to promote good behaviour. For example, staff consistently remind children of the rules when they need support during their interactions and activities, such as using kind hands. Additionally, when staff ask children to tidy up the plastic balls on the floor, children readily join in, using containers to collect them. This demonstrates children's understanding of how they are expected to behave.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff extend children's activities to support their development. For instance, when children choose to play with a skipping rope, staff use this opportunity to talk to children about how to keep themselves safe. Staff explain how to use the rope safely, which helps children to develop an understanding of how to manage risks.

p.2

need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the setting has new leaders in place. They have taken steps to respond to the actions set at the previous inspection, which includes appointing a named deputy and implementing effective risk assessments to ensure the premises and equipment are safe. The manager and staff have also undertaken safeguarding training to improve their understanding of how to keep children safe. This helps to protect children from harm. n The manager has a good understanding of the skills that children need to learn before they start school. This helps her to design a curriculum that supports them to make progress. For instance, staff promote children's independence skills by encouraging them to tidy up after themselves when they finish eating their lunch. Children respond positively and follow the instructions that staff give to them. n Staff demonstrate good knowledge of children, including their interests and

p.2

need to do better?

where they are in their development. Staff support children well with their progress, and this helps them to plan for the next stage of their development. n Staff plan activities to support children to develop their knowledge of colours and number sequences. For instance, they organise adult-led activities, such as matching coloured wooden blocks to the correct mat. When children complete their task, staff encourage them to count the blocks as they put them back into

p.2

need to do better?

31 January 2024 the tray. However, staff do not always recognise when adult-led activities continue for too long or when to offer more encouragement for individual children to take part. At these times, children become distracted and restless, which does not fully promote their concentration and attention skills. n Staff supervise children well and use their interests to help them to engage in their learning environment. For instance, staff organise a water activity where children enjoy the feeling of swishing their hands in the water and pouring it down the guttering on the 'water wall'. This ensures that all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are able to participate in the activities planned by staff. n Parents report that they receive effective communication from the manager and staff. This includes information regarding children's progress and ideas for how

p.2

need to do better?

parents can support children's learning at home. The manager signposts parents to additional services that may be available to them. This helps to promote children's development further. n Staff are well supported by the manager in their professional development and well-being. They have access to additional training to enhance their practice. For instance, staff have opportunities to complete further safeguarding lead training in order to strengthen their knowledge of how to keep children safe. This helps to promote better outcomes for children.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

should:

n support staff to recognise when and how to adapt adult-led activities to maintain children's interest and attention more consistently.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2656214 Local authority Medway Inspection number 10312743 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 35 Number of children on roll 9 Name of registered person Noah's Ark Nursery and Pre-School Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01634 717510 Date of previous inspection 18 September 2023

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Noah's Ark Nursery and Pre School is in Medway and is open Monday to Thursday, 9am to 1pm, during term time only. The nursery employs three members of staff, two of whom hold a relevant early years qualification at level 3. It receives funding to provide free early education to children aged two, three and four years.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager completed a learning walk of the nursery with the inspector and discussed the early years curriculum. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity.

p.4

Inspection activities

31 January 2024 We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

p.4

Inspection activities

31 January 2024 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6